This is an interesting thread - sorry to see it is not as popular as I'd like.

One thing I would point out is that many of these "one-hit-wonder" coaches specialize in beginning/mid-level skating and are not necessarily looking to be the next John Nicks or Frank Carrol. Most of these coaches are simply laying the foundation for the "big-name" coaches - who take on skaters and "finish" them. The real grunt work is done, IMO, by the beginning/mid-level coaches.

Occasionally, we'll see a coach/skater combo who sticks it out for the long-haul. IIRC, this was the case with Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano. Several more recent skaters/coaches are Pricilla (sp) Hill and Johnny Weir, Robyn Wagner and Hughes to name a few.

Unfortunately, coaching at the lower level is not taken as seriously as it should. How many times do we see a promising young skater come around with some serious technique issues that seem to have been ignored. Too many of these coaches are just too eager to push students up the testing ladder even when the technique is not sound. I understand the desire to achieve testing goals but with the dismay of figures and the lack of fundamental skating skills theses days, it's all about preforming tricks - technically sound or not.

Having said that, I think those of us in the skating community owe these coaches a big round of applause for all of their hard work - which often goes unnoticed when a skater hits the "big-time" and moves to a more prestigious coach who can "finish" them.

This is an interesting thread - sorry to see it is not as popular as I'd like.

One thing I would point out is that many of these "one-hit-wonder" coaches specialize in beginning/mid-level skating and are not necessarily looking to be the next John Nicks or Frank Carrol. Most of these coaches are simply laying the foundation for the "big-name" coaches - who take on skaters and "finish" them. The real grunt work is done, IMO, by the beginning/mid-level coaches.

Occasionally, we'll see a coach/skater combo who sticks it out for the long-haul. IIRC, this was the case with Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano. Several more recent skaters/coaches are Pricilla (sp) Hill and Johnny Weir, Robyn Wagner and Hughes to name a few.

Unfortunately, coaching at the lower level is not taken as seriously as it should. How many times do we see a promising young skater come around with some serious technique issues that seem to have been ignored. Too many of these coaches are just too eager to push students up the testing ladder even when the technique is not sound. I understand the desire to achieve testing goals but with the dismay of figures and the lack of fundamental skating skills theses days, it's all about preforming tricks - technically sound or not.

Having said that, I think those of us in the skating community owe these coaches a big round of applause for all of their hard work - which often goes unnoticed when a skater hits the "big-time" and moves to a more prestigious coach who can "finish" them.

Scott Hamilton had several coaches over the years. He was only with don for five-ish years.

Developmental Coach of the YEAR In recognition of new talent and superior teaching technique for a coach who has a career record of helping athletes develop to higher levels of the sport and as human beings. A nominee for developmental coach must never have had a national champion and should be recognized for their work with skaters below the senior level.

Christy Kjarsgaard Ness. She trained a couple elite skaters after Yamaguchi but only had real success with Kristi.

I thought of counting her. She did coach Susan Humphries to make the Olympic team in a big upset, knocking off longtime top 10 World skater Karen Preston, then placing top 10 herself at Worlds. She coached Nicole Bobek once, but to no real success.